While observing the classes at Narragansett High School with Adam Reis I decided to sit towards the back of the room so that i could observe student behavior. While Mr. Reis seems to have developed a good strategy for classroom management there are, like every class, students that misbehave.Within the lower level classes I saw quite a few students chatting while Mr. Reis was lecturing. In the back corner were a group of three girls that were passing notes but eventually began to just chat. Once they reached a noticeable level Mr. Reis stopped lecturing and asked them to be quiet, luckily they did and stopped passing notes as well. I also noticed that one student that was seated at one of the lab benches instead of the desks was simply staring into space, there was no attempt to focus him until the students began working on their star comic strips. When I asked Mr. Reis about that student he said that that child had ADD and was extremely difficult and often did not finish his work, so he does his best to focus him when he can, so as not to disrupt the normal function of the class. When the students are working Mr. Reis is usually found at his desk, but he does walk around the classroom from time to time usually going to the students that raise their hands. In the advanced classes the students in the back were simply chatting about school but they were also focused on their work and did a fine job through the distractions.
In my own class I would be sure to crack down on the nonsense that happens at the back of the room. I would keep my class in an open U shape during lecture but change it to groups during labs or group work. The U shape or Socratic set up will ensure that I can keep an eye on all my students, it would also be beneficial for debates that would be discussed within class. I, Like many students tended to drift off from time to time, to rectify this I will be sure to use engaging powerpoints, interactive materials, and discussion topics. Student engagement is a huge part of learning, if the student is not engaged or paying attention then I might as well be teaching to a brick wall, Material will be missed, concepts overlooked, etc. If I do notice that students are not paying attention I will be sure to use subtle ways of gaining their attention such as standing near them, or not so subtle ways such as calling them out in front of the class by asking "so, what was I just saying?" or something similar. While this may be embarrassing it ensures they will pay attention in the future.
In my own class I would be sure to crack down on the nonsense that happens at the back of the room. I would keep my class in an open U shape during lecture but change it to groups during labs or group work. The U shape or Socratic set up will ensure that I can keep an eye on all my students, it would also be beneficial for debates that would be discussed within class. I, Like many students tended to drift off from time to time, to rectify this I will be sure to use engaging powerpoints, interactive materials, and discussion topics. Student engagement is a huge part of learning, if the student is not engaged or paying attention then I might as well be teaching to a brick wall, Material will be missed, concepts overlooked, etc. If I do notice that students are not paying attention I will be sure to use subtle ways of gaining their attention such as standing near them, or not so subtle ways such as calling them out in front of the class by asking "so, what was I just saying?" or something similar. While this may be embarrassing it ensures they will pay attention in the future.